Join a community of travelers – International travel tip

by Gadling Staff on

Travel communities such as Couchsurfing exist to connect travelers with locals.

By joining communities like these, meeting new people, and making new friends, you can experience each destination a little more personally, participate in more “insider” or “locals only” activities — and even save money. After all, locals know all the best places to eat, see, and visit — and they should know how to do it affordably.

Bonus: when you get home, you’ll have made new friends with whom you can correspond and visit again in the future.

Just plan less – International travel tip

by Gadling Staff on

The biggest problem some travelers face is that they’re so worried about The Plan. Always leave time — and room in the wallet — for the unexpected!

Recently on a trip to Italy, a friend of mine booked her entire trip — every tour, meal and destination — many weeks in advance. She felt frenzied and harried the entire time. the trip is a blur to her now.

Alternatively, when I went to Italy, I did just the opposite and made so many friends and memories in the process. There’s something about not knowing where you’ll end up on a vacation that’s exciting.

Buy clothes there – Packing tip

by Gadling Staff on

Depending on where you’re headed, it may be cheaper to pack fewer clothes and purchase new outfits upon arrival.

Destinations such as Bangkok, Thailand, for example, sell quality, fashionable clothes for low prices. For destinations such as these, pack about three outfits and plan to shop soon after you get there. This may not be advisable, however, for travel destinations such as London or Tokyo. In order to make the right decision, research your destination’s clothes prices before departure.

Further, shopping abroad gives you the opportunity to explore local cultures — and maybe even purchase some cool, wearable souvenirs.

Bonus: Saving space in your luggage may, in turn, result in less luggage — and fewer baggage charges!

Four ways to throw an international New Year’s Eve party

by Katie Hammel on

After years of the same old New Year’s Eve parties, singing Auld Lang Syne, counting down at midnight and kissing as the clock strikes 12, it may be time to shake things up a bit. With some creativity, you can host an international-themed New Year’s Eve party that incorporates traditions from around the world. Here are a few ideas.

Say cheers
As you clink champagne flutes with your guests at midnight, try saying cheers in another language. Offer a “cin cin” or “a votre sante” as a toast to the New Year.

Food and drink
Branch out from the typical offerings and add some international flare to your food and beverage service. Incorporate drinks, wines or beers from around the world and serve some traditional foods from other countries. If you hang with an international crowd, ask each person to bring a food or drink from their home country.

Count it down
If you live in the US, it may be harder to pull this off, but depending on the hours of your party, you can start the night by counting down each time another timezone passes the midnight mark. If you chose a different country, countdown in the local language and toast with a native drink. Help everyone keep track of the countdowns by hanging clocks around the party space, setting them to the time in another location, and labeling them with the name of the country of city they represent.
Celebrate cultural traditions from around the world
Every country seems to have its own special way of celebrating the passing of the old year and the welcoming of the new. In Germany and Scandinavia, Herring is served on New Year’s Eve while in Denmark, people eat marzipan cake for dessert. In Greece, it’s customary to eat Vasilopita, a cake baked with a coin inside. The person who bites into the coin will have good fortune for the next year. In Mexico, Spain and Portugal, people eat 12 grapes as the clock chimes 12 times at midnight. Each grape represents one wish for the coming year.

In many cultures, wearing red underwear on New Year’s Eve is said to bring love, while yellow will ensure money comes your way. In Hungary the people burn effigies known as “Jack Straw”, who represents the misfortunes of the past year. Burning the effigy is supposed to get rid of the bad luck. In several cultures, it is also believed that carrying a piece of luggage at midnight will ensure that you have many safe travels for the coming year.

Spring Airlines gets international approval

by Stephen Greenwood on

Remember that story about China’s Spring Airlines considering standing-room only tickets?

Well, if they ever get around to realizing that glorious dream, standing-room only could be slowly making it’s way closer to you.

The General Administration of Civil Aviation of China (CAAC) ruled on Thursday that the airline will be able to operate specific international routes. Spring Airlines is the second private firm that has received this approval by the CAAC.

This will initially open up short-distance routes, such as flights to Hong Kong, Macau, Japan, South Korea and Russia. The airline was founded in 2005 and currently has 13 Airbus 320 passenger jets, with 30 domestic air routes.

Any volunteers for when Spring Airlines decides to take standing room to trans-Pacific flights?